From Applications to Policies: ICT‐based Independent Living Services in the EU

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) play a critical role in fulfilling strategic objectives of ageing societies such as better quality of life for all, sustainable economic development and social inclusion. ICT‐based independent living services (ILS), i.e. complex systems, that enable people to lead more independent and participatory lives, are increasingly reflected in various policy areas. ICT‐based ILS consist of different levels of applications, ranging from telecare applications to assistive technology services. Although a variety of ILS is available on the market today, there is no solid evidence as to the extent that demand and supply match. Existing data indicate that ILS technologies and systems are not widely used or distributed. ILS require in‐depth assessment as they are inherently complex value chains which encompass many ICT‐based applications and affect different policy areas. To date, few evaluations of policies in the ILS area have been carried out.

In this paper, we propose a framework for analysing and reviewing existing applications and relevant national policy areas in Europe. We also combine our research with the outcome of a high‐level expert workshop.1 This work is based on the results of a research project2 commissioned by the Institute for Prospective Technologies of the Joint Research Centre (European Commission). We conclude with some observations on the challenges and the evolution of ILS.

Keywords:

• independent living
• active ageing
• ICT for ageing
• ambient assisted living
• social inclusion
• ageing policies

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The views expressed in this paper are the authors' and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

Notes

1. ‘User Needs in ICT Research for Independent Living, with a Focus on Health Aspects’, technical report of an expert workshop held in Brussels, November 2005, available at: http://fiste.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/documents/eur22352en.pdf

2. The Future of Independent Living Services in the EU, 2006, IPTS, JRC, EC.

3. The Action Plan aims to: overcome technical and regulatory barriers to market development, through market assessments and by facilitating the exchange of best practice between Member States; raise awareness, and build consensus via stakeholder cooperation in 2007 and establish a best practice Internet portal; accelerate take‐up through, for example, a set of pilot projects and a European award scheme for smart homes and independent living applications; and boost research and innovation by immediately supporting a joint public‐private research programme dedicated to ‘ambient assisted living’. It aims to foster the emergence of innovative, ICT‐based products, services and systems for Europe's ageing population. See: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/policy/ageing/launch/index_en.htm

4. The programme AAL is prepared as a so‐called Article 169 initiative – referring to the respective article of the European treaty. This article allows the EC to participate in the AAL programme which, however, remains a member state driven initiative in the first place. See more at: http://www.aal‐europe.eu

5. ‘Ambient Assisted Living’, is defined as enablers of equipment and services for the independent living of elderly people, via the seamless integration of info‐communication technologies within homes and extended homes, thus increasing their quality of life and autonomy and reducing the need for being institutionalized. These include assistance to carry out daily activities, health and activity monitoring, enhancing safety and security, getting access to social, medical and emergency systems, and facilitating social contacts, in addition to context‐based infotainment and entertainment.

6. See the full report at: http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/EAP/documents/WP2ILS.pdf

7. JRC IPTS has conducted a research project on ‘The Future of Independent Living Services in the EU’ (http://fiste.jrc.es/pages/ehealth.htm) in a European Consortium, made up of TNO, Empirica and Vrije Universiteit Brussel. It is one of the first studies in this area. EU defined ILS as a new research area in the FP7 work programme.

8. ‘User Needs in ICT Research for Independent Living, with a Focus on Health Aspects’, technical report of an expert workshop held in Brussels, November 2005, available at: http://fiste.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/documents/eur22352en.pdf

9. The Ministerial Conference ‘ICT for an inclusive society’, Riga, 2006 (http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/ict_riga_2006/doc/declaration_riga.pdf), set the basis for consequent policy actions by prioritizing the needs of older workers and elderly people. These priorities should consist of exploiting the full potential of the internal market of ICT services and products for the elderly; improving the employability, working conditions and work‐life balance of older workers; enhancing active participation in the society and economy and self‐expression; and realizing increased quality of life, autonomy and safety, while respecting privacy and ethical requirements, stressing that this can be done through independent living initiatives, the promotion of assistive technologies, and ICT‐enabled services for integrated social and healthcare, including personal emergency and location‐based services.

10. There exist many pilot experiences in the field of smart housing. Examples are FutureLife (Hünenberg), Tele‐haus (Munich), InHaus (Duisburg), SmartHOME (Munich), Smart Home (Berlin), Easy Living (Tobit Software), Homelab (Eindhoven), e2‐home (Stockholm).

11. For an inventory on policies of relevance for eAccessibility that has been collated by the MeAC study see: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/docs/meac_study/meac_policy_inventory_06_11_07.pdf

12. ‘Assistive Technology’ means different things to different people. However, Assistive Technology Devices are items frequently used by people with functional deficits as alternative ways to perform actions, tasks and activities (within their home). Simple assistive technology could entail electronic prompts and memory aids (both in smart homes as well as in mobile devices). New assistive technology may also include personal devices for communication, mobility, transportation, (voice‐controlled), manipulation, self‐organization, sensory support; direct bodily communication/connection; special peripherals and human‐computer interfaces; adaptive interfaces. Functions include control of visitor access, door opening and closing for the wheelchair‐mobile user, personal alarm functions, control of furniture and beds, control of the ambient environment and operation of home entertainment and communications equipment.

13. For a comprehensive list of challenges and policy options, see ILS – The Future of Independent Living Services in the EU, Final report, (2006), IPTS.

14. Available at: http://fiste.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/documents/ILSfinaldraft.pdf